India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
